The National Trust have applied for a felling licence to chop down / deforest 19 hectares of beautiful woodland in the area of Kinver Edge a forest known locally as Blakeshall and Kingsford Forest. The area is dubbed “The Lungs of the Black Country” with good reason. The closing date for the Forestry Commission consultation prior to their decision is the 14th October 2021. You can find details on their website if you wish to object. Case ref FL-015-2476-2019? This at a time of the COP26 Climate Change crisis meeting when Governments, including our own, are advocating the planting of millions of trees. These trees help to cleanse our air, prevent soil erosion and flooding better than any other vegetation. This area suffers erosion and flooding as it is sandy soil and sandstone. The wood was gifted to the National Trust by Worcestershire County Council for safe keeping with conditions attached to preserve access to the thousands of locals and visitors who walk, cycle and horse ride across it everyday. The Trust plan to fence off the whole area after deforestation and limit access using gates with cows grazing for most of the year. There is a Facebook page Kinver Edge Walkers and Riders Group set up to oppose these plans. Please also join this if you are able. If the Forestry Commission say no the National Trust cannot fell this lovely peaceful, restorative wood. Those thousands who visit this area feel passionately about protecting the trees from destruction.